Question for stereo rig guys

[ACShreds]

Whats the best way to get the most versatility out of a stereo rig. I know some guys run W/D/W but can switch things up on the fly to be all Dry or all Wet and switch which signal goes to which cabs and so on, I was wondering how yall do that. Is there a mixer involved? Some kind of switching unit? I ask because I've decided that i want to be able to have my rig run in all the different variations if i wanted to. I'd probly use it the most in stereo with no dry, but would also like to do W/D, W/D/W, and just mono if need be. I want it to be able to handle simple to extreme large gigs. Should I just have a Left wet signal, dry middle signal, and Right wet signal outs in my racks interface and just connect them to cabs accordingly depending on which variation i want to go for? Or is there an easier way? I figured if i just run the left and right signal to 2 cabs i'd get the stereo sound, and if i wanted add the dry i could just get a another cab and plug it into the dry jack and if i want just W/D i could take the Left mono signal, and the dry signal and so on. Is what I'm thinking about a good plan or should i look into some kind of mixer or something?

 

[Zachman]

Whats the best way to get the most versatility out of a stereo rig. I know some guys run W/D/W but can switch things up on the fly to be all Dry or all Wet and switch which signal goes to which cabs and so on, I was wondering how yall do that. Is there a mixer involved? Some kind of switching unit? I ask because I've decided that i want to be able to have my rig run in all the different variations if i wanted to. I'd probly use it the most in stereo with no dry, but would also like to do W/D, W/D/W, and just mono if need be. I want it to be able to handle simple to extreme large gigs. Should I just have a Left wet signal, dry middle signal, and Right wet signal outs in my racks interface and just connect them to cabs accordingly depending on which variation i want to go for? Or is there an easier way? I figured if i just run the left and right signal to 2 cabs i'd get the stereo sound, and if i wanted add the dry i could just get a another cab and plug it into the dry jack and if i want just W/D i could take the Left mono signal, and the dry signal and so on. Is what I'm thinking about a good plan or should i look into some kind of mixer or something?

Figuring there are a few ways to approach things-- there are very few-- for lunatics like us, who want to control all things in the sonic universe-- at a whim.

I'll try to give this a go--

There are 3 components: (Switching System/Interface, Dual Stereo Line Mixer, and the Amp Selector) which are the Control center for the components-- in my rig.

I have (3) volume pedals Pre/Post/and Expression; 1 acts as a main master volume pedal (Swells), one controls only the Wet side of the rig (If I want mono-- I just kick this one back), and one is an expression pedal for the Eventide H8000FW (Insanity can be done with this and the Eventide).

IF I want plain old stereo, I insert a Hot Plate between the Interface and the Dry cab, and set it to 'LOAD'. I can still insert the Dry signal into the stereo cabs (a function of the routing between the Amp Selector, Mixer and Switching System), by selecting the Instant Access 'Dry' button on the MIDI Foot controller-- in real time in any preset OR as a part of a pre-programmed preset, I can predetermine the state of the switch (ON/OFF).

Hope that helps. If you have more questions please ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

 

[ACShreds]

Whats the best way to get the most versatility out of a stereo rig. I know some guys run W/D/W but can switch things up on the fly to be all Dry or all Wet and switch which signal goes to which cabs and so on, I was wondering how yall do that. Is there a mixer involved? Some kind of switching unit? I ask because I've decided that i want to be able to have my rig run in all the different variations if i wanted to. I'd probly use it the most in stereo with no dry, but would also like to do W/D, W/D/W, and just mono if need be. I want it to be able to handle simple to extreme large gigs. Should I just have a Left wet signal, dry middle signal, and Right wet signal outs in my racks interface and just connect them to cabs accordingly depending on which variation i want to go for? Or is there an easier way? I figured if i just run the left and right signal to 2 cabs i'd get the stereo sound, and if i wanted add the dry i could just get a another cab and plug it into the dry jack and if i want just W/D i could take the Left mono signal, and the dry signal and so on. Is what I'm thinking about a good plan or should i look into some kind of mixer or something?

Figuring there are a few ways to approach things-- there are very few-- for lunatics like us, who want to control all things in the sonic universe-- at a whim.

I'll try to give this a go--

There are 3 components: (Switching System/Interface, Dual Stereo Line Mixer, and the Amp Selector) which are the Control center for the components-- in my rig.

I have (3) volume pedals Pre/Post/and Expression; 1 acts as a main master volume pedal (Swells), one controls only the Wet side of the rig (If I want mono-- I just kick this one back), and one is an expression pedal for the Eventide H8000FW (Insanity can be done with this and the Eventide).

IF I want plain old stereo, I insert a Hot Plate between the Interface and the Dry cab, and set it to 'LOAD'. I can still insert the Dry signal into the stereo cabs (a function of the routing between the Amp Selector, Mixer and Switching System), by selecting the Instant Access 'Dry' button on the MIDI Foot controller-- in real time in any preset OR as a part of a pre-programmed preset, I can predetermine the state of the switch (ON/OFF).

Hope that helps. If you have more questions please ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

Thank you so much for the info. I have another quick question. Do i still need a load for my dry signal if I'm using the slave out of my Mark V to run regular stereo?

 

[Zachman]

Whats the best way to get the most versatility out of a stereo rig. I know some guys run W/D/W but can switch things up on the fly to be all Dry or all Wet and switch which signal goes to which cabs and so on, I was wondering how yall do that. Is there a mixer involved? Some kind of switching unit? I ask because I've decided that i want to be able to have my rig run in all the different variations if i wanted to. I'd probly use it the most in stereo with no dry, but would also like to do W/D, W/D/W, and just mono if need be. I want it to be able to handle simple to extreme large gigs. Should I just have a Left wet signal, dry middle signal, and Right wet signal outs in my racks interface and just connect them to cabs accordingly depending on which variation i want to go for? Or is there an easier way? I figured if i just run the left and right signal to 2 cabs i'd get the stereo sound, and if i wanted add the dry i could just get a another cab and plug it into the dry jack and if i want just W/D i could take the Left mono signal, and the dry signal and so on. Is what I'm thinking about a good plan or should i look into some kind of mixer or something?

Figuring there are a few ways to approach things-- there are very few-- for lunatics like us, who want to control all things in the sonic universe-- at a whim.

I'll try to give this a go--

There are 3 components: (Switching System/Interface, Dual Stereo Line Mixer, and the Amp Selector) which are the Control center for the components-- in my rig.

I have (3) volume pedals Pre/Post/and Expression; 1 acts as a main master volume pedal (Swells), one controls only the Wet side of the rig (If I want mono-- I just kick this one back), and one is an expression pedal for the Eventide H8000FW (Insanity can be done with this and the Eventide).

IF I want plain old stereo, I insert a Hot Plate between the Interface and the Dry cab, and set it to 'LOAD'. I can still insert the Dry signal into the stereo cabs (a function of the routing between the Amp Selector, Mixer and Switching System), by selecting the Instant Access 'Dry' button on the MIDI Foot controller-- in real time in any preset OR as a part of a pre-programmed preset, I can predetermine the state of the switch (ON/OFF).

Hope that helps. If you have more questions please ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

Thank you so much for the info. I have another quick question. Do i still need a load for my dry signal if I'm using the slave out of my Mark V to run regular stereo?

Are you using the MKV to run one side of the stereo field and another amp head or power amp to run the other?? The 'Dry' signal will be a matter of the mixer splitting/Mixing/Routing that 'Dry' signal.

You've probably seen this before but I'll post it up anyway, and maybe it'll help you follow the signal path in your mind a bit better

 

[Bronco]

Whats the best way to get the most versatility out of a stereo rig. I know some guys run W/D/W but can switch things up on the fly to be all Dry or all Wet and switch which signal goes to which cabs and so on, I was wondering how yall do that. Is there a mixer involved? Some kind of switching unit? I ask because I've decided that i want to be able to have my rig run in all the different variations if i wanted to. I'd probly use it the most in stereo with no dry, but would also like to do W/D, W/D/W, and just mono if need be. I want it to be able to handle simple to extreme large gigs. Should I just have a Left wet signal, dry middle signal, and Right wet signal outs in my racks interface and just connect them to cabs accordingly depending on which variation i want to go for? Or is there an easier way? I figured if i just run the left and right signal to 2 cabs i'd get the stereo sound, and if i wanted add the dry i could just get a another cab and plug it into the dry jack and if i want just W/D i could take the Left mono signal, and the dry signal and so on. Is what I'm thinking about a good plan or should i look into some kind of mixer or something?

Figuring there are a few ways to approach things-- there are very few-- for lunatics like us, who want to control all things in the sonic universe-- at a whim.

I'll try to give this a go--

There are 3 components: (Switching System/Interface, Dual Stereo Line Mixer, and the Amp Selector) which are the Control center for the components-- in my rig.

I have (3) volume pedals Pre/Post/and Expression; 1 acts as a main master volume pedal (Swells), one controls only the Wet side of the rig (If I want mono-- I just kick this one back), and one is an expression pedal for the Eventide H8000FW (Insanity can be done with this and the Eventide).

IF I want plain old stereo, I insert a Hot Plate between the Interface and the Dry cab, and set it to 'LOAD'. I can still insert the Dry signal into the stereo cabs (a function of the routing between the Amp Selector, Mixer and Switching System), by selecting the Instant Access 'Dry' button on the MIDI Foot controller-- in real time in any preset OR as a part of a pre-programmed preset, I can predetermine the state of the switch (ON/OFF).

Hope that helps. If you have more questions please ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

Thank you so much for the info. I have another quick question. Do i still need a load for my dry signal if I'm using the slave out of my Mark V to run regular stereo?

Yes absolutely! Your main amp needs relief from either speakers or a load...the line out is just a line-level signal.

 

[verderacer]

Zach,

Thats a hell of a signal chain !

 

[Zachman]

Zach,

Thats a hell of a signal chain !

 

[ACShreds]

ok so what if i just wanted to run regular stereo. Can i just hook up my G major 2 to my Mark V's fx loop like normal, and then use the Right output of the G major to my Matrix poweramp and then out to the second cab?

 

[Zachman]

ok so what if i just wanted to run regular stereo. Can i just hook up my G major 2 to my Mark V's fx loop like normal, and then use the Right output of the G major to my Matrix poweramp and then out to the second cab?

Yup...

 

[hunter]

Great schematic, love it. Now the only thing I need to know is: what exactly are the amps 1 through 4?

 

[Zachman]

Great schematic, love it. Now the only thing I need to know is: what exactly are the amps 1 through 4?

They vary, but some versions included:

Fender Super Reverb Head
Marshall 6100
Marshall '59SLP Cameron HG Jose
Mesa/Boogie MKIII Coliseum Simul-Class Head

Metro 12xxx
Marshall '59SLP Cameron HG Jose
Mesa/Boogie MKIII Coliseum Simul-Class Head
Fender Super Reverb

Marshall JTM45 Cameron Jose
Marshall '59 SLP Cameron HG Jose
Fender Super Reverb
Mesa/Boogie MKIII Coliseum

Currently it's these and a few others not pictured to choose from:

 

[spanny]

Ive run a stereo rig and Ive run a wet/dry rig. Overall I think the sound of a wet/dry will sound clearer with your effects on, however if you want to do any stereo effects, obviously you cant.

 

[verderacer]

ok so what if i just wanted to run regular stereo. Can i just hook up my G major 2 to my Mark V's fx loop like normal, and then use the Right output of the G major to my Matrix poweramp and then out to the second cab?

Yup...

Zach, wont he be bypassing the his tone stack on the Mk V?

 

[Zachman]

ok so what if i just wanted to run regular stereo. Can i just hook up my G major 2 to my Mark V's fx loop like normal, and then use the Right output of the G major to my Matrix poweramp and then out to the second cab?

Yup...

Zach, wont he be bypassing the his tone stack on the Mk V?

If I'm not mistaken, that would only be at the FX Return, not the Send. I did it that way w/ my old MKIII stereo rig, and it worked great, and I returned to the FX return of the 2nd Boogie, and only the Presence and Graphic EQ worked, on the 2nd Boogie MKIII.

Not positive about the MKV, if the loop is the same as the MKIII. Hopefully someone who's more current can confirm.